THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 >>>

1. Almost exactly a year ago the Washington D.C. comedy troupe Capitol Steps descended on Olympia and the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, bringing with it a full bag of political humor and clever song parodies about things that rhyme with Scalia. Major laughs ensued. Tonight the Steps return to our state capital, no doubt full of new material thanks to a whole year of new inspirations - from the seemingly endless Republican presidential candidate debates to the many sweater vests of Rick Santorum.

2. PLU debuts David Lindsey-Abaire's Rabbit Hole tonight at the school's Studio Theater. The production starts at 7:30 p.m. According to hype, "Ultimately, as Rabbit Hole so beautifully demonstrates, compassion for ourselves and for each other makes us stronger as individuals and wiser as a community."

3. Slide in and catch Sandy Harvey in the Piano Lounge at El Gaucho in Tacoma tonight. The swank gets heavy around 6 p.m.

4. Thursday is the new start of the weekend, and what better way to kick things off than the open mic and "Musicians Night" at Tacoma's Rock the Dock Pub & Grill and hosted by Big D of 9 Pound Hammer? There's really not. The fun starts at 9 p.m. and there's absolutely no cover.

5. Weekly Volcano hip-hop columnist Josh Rizeberg gave us the lowdown this week on Hacienda Real. Tonight, check out the club for yourself during "Thursday Night South Sound with Skrilla and DJ J City." Expect a Top 40 party kicking off at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight

THIS WEEK'S VOLCANO MUSIC COVERAGE >>>

The Weekly Volcano never sleeps. It's true ... or very close to true. We average only a few hours of shut-eye a night, be it because we're busy putting together another jaw-dropping issue of the Weekly Volcano, or simply because we're strung out on Xbox.

It's true. And you better believe we managed to pump out another stellar Weekly Volcano music section, just like we do every Thursday.

The Weekly Volcano music section is your weekly chance at the best in South Sound music coverage. This week's Volcano music section includes Piko Panda, Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless, Tac Army Radio, Destruction Island and more.

Here's a look at the sonic goodness coming at you in print and online in this week's Volcano ...

FEATURE: PIKO PANDA

Jacob Gosselin, who also performs in Oh Dear!, has released two albums under his Piko Panda moniker. Sure enough, his first album, Learns Colors, is a collection of late-night solo recordings, which he claims were recorded in one go from 2 to 4 a.m. on Garageband, all the way back in 2006. In this environment, as one can imagine, it's hard not to echo the late Elliot Smith's depressed yearning, and Piko Panda doesn't make any effort to dodge these similarities. ... -- Rev. Adam McKinney

FEATURE: HIP-HOP 4 THE HOMELESS

Founded in 2002 by Olympia DJ and hip-hop activist Luvva J- real name Jose Gutierrez Jr. -- in Vancouver, B.C., the non-profit organization Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless has now been spreading awareness of homelessness for a decade. Once a year, Luvva J and friends host the two-day event that includes one day of live performances by various hip-hop artists and offers free admission with donations of clothes, blankets, tents, food or anything that could be useful to the homeless. Day two of the annual event offers open doors to the homeless community, providing those in need the opportunity to take whatever necessities are available from the previous night's donations. A warm meal is also provided, along with a haircut and professional massage. In 2006 Luvva J decided he wanted to move the organization to the states and since then Olympia has happily become its home.

"The purpose of this event is to not only spread awareness of the issue but to encourage folks to get involved and develop a deeper understanding surrounding poverty in America" says Gutierrez, who has written for the Volcano in the past. Gutierrez also admits he enjoys seeing the artists that choose to play the yearly event use their talent and voice to help those in need. ... -- Nic Leonard

HIP-HOP: TAC ARMY RADIO & MORE

As far as I know there is only one radio station playing nothing but Pacific Northwest hip-hop 24/7/365. I'm talking about tacarmyradio.com. The station is run by I-Ballz, who is a member of Blue Nose Music. I-Ballz is very open to supporting all local talent, so hit him up if ya want yo music to be played on the station.

On the station's website you can also order the Tac Army Compilation CDs. These albums are a good way to experience the broad range of styles and artists we have in our region. One of the main ways to support the scene is simply by listening to this radio station - so do it!  ... -- Josh Rizeberg

WE RECOMMEND: DESTRUCTION ISLAND

Destruction Island makes big sounds and big hooks with their guitars, but the band persists in being betrayed by small sound. As much as Destruction Island puffs out its chests with these arena sounds, the band always cheat a look of uncertain modesty-like a plunky piano line or a hollow snare tap-to lend an aspect of humility to the proceedings. Though they largely succeed in dealing up proper, confident indie rock, they have a nagging need to bare themselves in plaintive ways. ... -- Rev AM

WE RECOMMEND: TOO SLIM & THE TAILDRAGGERS

Take the modern alt-country blues sound of Drive-By Truckers, throw in the fun loving attitude and riff-blues-rock of ZZ Top, mix them all together and you get close to the vibe of Too Slim and the Taildraggers. This is real, down and dirty rock and roll - a delightful jumble of virtuosic slide guitar work from frontman Tim "Too Slim" Langford and the revamped rock sound of the Taildraggers. ... -- Weekly Volcano

PLUS: BETTER LIVING THROUGH MUSIC - Sound Icons, Science!, Atomic Outlaws and more

PLUS: COMPREHENSIVE LIVE LOCAL MUSIC LISTINGS

PLUS: CONCERT ALERT

PLUS: COMPLETE RIDICULOUSNESS LIKE THIS

ARTS COVERAGE TO END ALL ARTS COVERAGE >>>

At this point it goes without saying. If you're looking for coverage of local arts in Tacoma, Olympia, and all points in between, the Weekly Volcano is THE place to find it. Our goal is to consistently provide the best local arts coverage possible to our fantastic readers. We're always on the lookout for ways to shine a light on all the awesome creativity we see around us.

This week's Volcano arts section includes Hide/Seek at Tacoma Art Musuem, Papakali in Tacoma, The Farnsworth Invention in Lakewood and Collision at the Evergreen State College.

Here's a look at the Volcano arts coverage waiting for you this week in print and online.

FEATURE: HIDE/SEEK

The internationally-acclaimed exhibition Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture caused a ruckus when it debuted at The Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery in 2010. David Wojnarowicz's unfinished film, A Fire in My Belly,was removed from the exhibition, sparking a national controversy, demonstrations and renewed discussions about censorship and artists' rights. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) called the exhibition "an outrageous use of taxpayer money," and a spokesperson for House Speaker John Boehner told The Hill newspaper "Smithsonian officials should either acknowledge the mistake or be prepared to face tough scrutiny beginning in January."

Tacoma Art Museum will proudly include A Fire in My Belly along with photographs and paintings by a slew of famous American artists with an eye toward issues of gender and sexual identity over nearly 150 years of American art. Yes, this is the queer show. And despite outrage by a few people such as Cantor and Boehner, it has been a stupendous success with audiences across the country.

Beginning with works from the late 1870s by Thomas Eakins and John Singer Sargent, the exhibition uncovers the lives of gays and lesbians in America throughout the years. ... -- Alec Clayton

FEATURE: PAPAKALI

Local creative extraordinaire Kali Kucera is a music composer. He also helped to found the Tacoma Poet Laureate program, and is the arts development guy at Urban Grace Church. Kucera has told stories at libraries and museums far and wide as a member of the Fireside Storytelling League. Since late 2010, he has also operated Papakali.com-a website dedicated to original Tacoma folklore.

"I'm really more of a lorist than a writer-someone who starts a story from a conjecture about his environment, and then gives it away to the community to spin it from there," Kucera says. ... -- Kristin Kendle

THEATER: THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION

I've been following the work of Aaron Sorkin since the days of the short-lived TV show Sports Night. I've observed that there are a few things Sorkin clearly loves more than anything else: space travel, talking while walking, stealing his own lines and Philo T. Farnsworth.

I've also known John Munn for more than a few years, and there's not much he loves more than Aaron Sorkin. This is how we come to have Sorkin's The Farnsworth Invention at Lakewood Playhouse, directed by Munn himself.

Philo Farnsworth - "Phil" to his friends and family - invented the television. Sort of. That is, he was the first scientist to successfully transmit and reconstruct an image over the air. If you haven't heard of him, the play would have you believe that it's largely because he lost a prolonged legal battle with RCA and did not become a multi-millionaire as owner of the patents used in commercial television. ... -- Joe Izenman

THEATER: COLLISION

If you've been out of college for a while, you're probably unfamiliar with the phrase "rape culture." It's a feminist term, circa 1975, which classifies entire regions as supportive of sexual violence. Such a culture considers women public sexual utilities, then blames victims of whatever abuse is inevitably suffered. In such a culture, for example, it might be acceptable to refer to a woman who wants birth control included in her health plan as a "slut" or "prostitute." Thankfully, that could never happen here.

Sigh...

"Dare to peek at your culture," advises Ariana Throne, whose one-woman "dance drama" Collision looks at rape culture in American college life. She herself was involved in two such collisions, and much of her performance is uncomfortably autobiographical. She says one in eight college women will be raped, a statistic which originated in a 1985 study for Ms. magazine. The veracity of that fraction depends largely on one's definition of rape, in that it includes women who did not self-identify as raped but who had sex while severely intoxicated. In Throne's view, that's the whole point: it's our prevailing culture which makes such incidents happen, and their psychological fallout is largely the same. It's food for thought. ... -- Christian Carvajal

LOCAL FILMMAKING: HISTORY IS _____ FILM COMPETITION

The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle has brought back its History Is ____ Film Competition for a second time since beginning in 2011.

Then I suppose what they say about history is true...

(I take off my shades and peer seductively into my readers' eyes)

...It has a way of repeating itself. (We kiss. End scene.)

As MOHAI's Manager of Programs and Community Engagement Helen Divjak remembers, "(The competition) last year really went beyond what we'd expected... We were really overwhelmed with not only the number, but the quality of the entries."

Now you can do your part to make the new batch of films bigger and even better. But first, the rules: Each work has between one and five minutes to creatively fill in the above blank with any word or phrase of one's choosing. For example, History is HUGE.  ... -- Christopher Wood

PLUS: COMPLETE SOUTH SOUND ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

PLUS: MORE EVENTS WE RECOMMEND

PLUS: WEIRDNESS LIKE THIS

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain showers, hi 48, lo 39

Saturday: More showers, hi 45, lo 39

Sunday: Chance of even more showers, hi 43, lo 36

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 9: AMOCAT LIVE

Time flies when you're having fun. Or so the saying goes - and fun is definitely one of the many great, hyper-local bits of awesomeness being served every day at Tacoma's Amocat Café, celebrating one year this Friday with the aptly titled, "Amocat Live." Expect an evening full of live music for all ages including John Dolge, Jon Parker, Micaela Cooley, Sam Bogle, Russ Dahler, Gen Obata, and The Collaborators. Best of all, it's free. Plus, the ambiance at Amocat can't be beat. This event is a win for all involved. Stop bye and thank proprietor Morgan Alexander for a year of service to his community.

• Amocat Live, 7 p.m., NC, 625 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.242.3370

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 9: SOUTH SOUND TECH CONFERENCE

Technology is a pretty freakin' big deal these days. Seems like the legions of tech geeks are ever growing, with a new techie born every time the wind blows or someone purchases a new iPhone. Friday brings the South Sound Technology Conference to the University of Washington Tacoma, a one-day event designed to bring together, "leaders from industry, education and government to discuss and demonstrate innovations and their applications," according to pre-event hype. The day-long event features a morning keynote by VP Product Development Expedia Steve Jarvis, a panel discussion on the mobile app development "explosion," and a lunch keynote by White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt.

• UWT - William W. Philip Hall, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., $20, registration required, 1551 Broadway, Tacoma, sstconference.org

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 9: LEO KOTTKE

There are few, if any, guitarists like Leo Kottke. An acoustic fret master, tickling both the six and 12 string varieties, Kottke's blazing licks have inspired guitarists worldwide for nearly the entire length of his legendary four-decade career. With a wry, almost comical approach to life and songwriting, mixed with unfathomable skill, Kottke is one for the ages. Friday, Kottke returns to the South Sound for a show at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia. Come out and be amazed.

• Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 8 p.m., $30-$50, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia, 360.753.8585

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 10: HIP-HOP 4 THE HOMELESS

Founded in 2002 by Olympia DJ and hip-hop activist Luvva J- real name Jose Gutierrez Jr. -- in Vancouver, B.C., the non-profit organization Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless has now been spreading awareness of homelessness for a decade. Once a year, Luvva J and friends host the two-day event that includes one day of live performances by various hip-hop artists and offers free admission with donations of clothes, blankets, tents, food or anything that could be useful to the homeless. Day two of the annual event offers open doors to the homeless community, providing those in need the opportunity to take whatever necessities are available from the previous night's donations. A warm meal is also provided, along with a haircut and professional massage. In 2006 Luvva J decided he wanted to move the organization to the states and since then Olympia has happily become its home. "The purpose of this event is to not only spread awareness of the issue but to encourage folks to get involved and develop a deeper understanding surrounding poverty in America" says Gutierrez, who has written for the Volcano in the past. This year's Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless music showcase promises some of Olympia, Seattle and Portland's best, including DJs, spoken word and live performances by Khingz & OTOW Gang, Alex Duncan, Afrok & The Movement, Speaker Minds and many more.

• Olympia Ballroom, live music showcase Saturday, March 10, 5 p.m. - midnight, $5 or donation for the homeless, all-ages, 116 Legion Way SW, Olympia

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 10: HARMONY SWEEPSTAKES

The Harmony Sweepstakes may sound like a new dating service, but it's actually an annual event in Olympia featuring some of the region's best a cappella talent. No kidding. A night of music and awards, Saturday's festivities will include hosts and guest artists The Baudboys, the 2011 first-place champions, along with event emcee Smilin' Jay of Olympia's KGY AM/FM radio. Event hype available on the Washington Center's website promises, "an evening of impeccable harmonies and scintillation arrangements." Hard to go wrong there.

• Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., $15-$25, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia, 360.753.8585

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 10: THE BAD PLUS

Everything is jazz. Or damn near everything. As The Bad Plus proves, bald heads and fu Manchu mustaches are pretty freakin' jazzy, too. But let us not trivialize this world-renowned jazz band, hitting Tacoma's Pantages Theater Saturday, as anything but remarkable. There's good reason why Billboard, and subsequently the Broadway Center's website, hypes the band as, "America's most "audacious, rule-breaking jazz trio." It's because all those aforementioned adjectives apply. Plus there's the facial hair. Catch The Bad Plus in Tacoma Saturday taking on Stravinsky's Rite of Spring - a pairing that should make for quite an evening of entertainment.

• Pantages Theater, 7:30 p.m., $24-$56, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 10: POETRY OUT LOUD STATE FINALS

In high school, you went to State in pizza eating and acne. It could have been cooler. Saturday, you'll have a chance to see a dozen Washington high school students get a better jump on their lives than the Little Caesar's slogan, "Pizza! Pizza!" ever afforded you, competing in the Poetry Out Loud State Finals. Presented by the Washington State Arts Commission, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation, Saturday's Poetry Out Loud State Finals will pit winners from seven regional finals held across Washington state in an ultimate throwdown of poetry recital. Along with ultimate statewide bragging rights, competitors will be vying for an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Poetry Out Loud national finals.

• Rialto Theater, 1 p.m., free, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 10: AUGUST WILSON'S JITNEY

Playwright August Wilson is best known for his Pittsburgh Cycle - a series of 10 plays each set in a different decade recalling the struggles and comedies of the African American experience in the 20th Century. That's what happens when you win two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. At 3 p.m., the Broadway Center, Northwest Playwrights Alliance and hosting venue Washington State History Museum bring us a staged reading of Jitney, part of Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle that centers on a cab driver's station in the late 1970s. Hype on the Broadway Center website describes the play, saying "his character driven performance features sharp-witted, hustling co-workers who gossip, argue and dream in between jobs."

• Washington State History Museum, 3 p.m., $14, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.3500

>>> SUNDAY, MARCH 11: FREE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING

Speaking of how everyone is becoming a major techie, collecting newfangled and ever-fancier gadgets at warp speed, our desk drawers here at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters sure are full of a lot of obsolete pieces unwanted tech - from flip phones to classic Fisher Price Viewmasters. While we're not about to give away the Viewmasters, everything else can go - which is why we'll likely head to Sunday's free electronics recycling event in the parking lot of Tacoma's Champion Centre (1819 E 72^nd St., Tacoma). Organized by the Seattle-based organization Friendly Earth, the goal of Sunday's event is to take as much unwanted tech off the streets as possible, and recycle it instead of letting it rot in the ground or in your desk drawer. Tax write offs will be given to any donated tech, and the list of accepted electronics is substantial, including appliances, metals, computer equipment and components, home and business electronics, batteries and machinery. Sadly, speakers, light bulbs, paints, wood based products and small miscellaneous plastics will not be accepted - making disposing of that pimped out yet unused lizard tank in your closet still difficult.

• Champion Centre - Parking Lot, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 1819 E 72^nd St., Tacoma

>>> SUNDAY, MARCH 11: OLYMPIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The close of the week offers a chance to join the Olympia Symphony Orchestra and guest pianist Wolfgang Wortberg for "By Audience Request," a performance promising Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15, Verdi's Overture to NabuccoI, Grainger's Irish Tune from County Derry and Stravinsky's Suite from The Firebird. While the Olympia Symphony Orchestra rarely-if-ever disappoints, much of the pre-show hype for this events centers on Wortberg's piano skills, and rightly so. As the Symphony's website notes, "Known for his musical insight, beautiful tone, and technical command, pianist Wolfgang Wortberg has performed in venues across the United States and Europe.  Audiences and critics alike acclaim his unique concerts: portraits of a single composer, interweaving music with insightful reflections on the life and work of the composers themselves and their contemporaries." Catching Wortberg and the Olympia Symphony Orchestra as a Sunday nightcap seems like a sure bet for good times and ageless music. But you're advised to test that statement for yourself.

• The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 7 p.m., $20-$50, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia, 360.753.8585

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
Don't imply I have no plans for this weekend, pal. This ain't some total dweeb you're talking to. I preordered the Game of Thrones Blurays, so...wait, that doesn't help my point.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Depending on how naptime goes, we may be attending a birthday party for a one year old on Saturday. Sunday I will be reviewing Tacoma Little Theatre's Someone to Watch Over Me. The rest of the time I intend to hang out with my now 19-month-old son and spend some time writing for my blog.

JOSH RIZEBERG Tacoma Hip-Hop Writer
Friday I'll be teaching my Spoken-Word/Poetry class at the D.A.S.H. Center. Class is all-ages and is open for enrollment and drop-ins are welcome! After that I'll be performing with Abom the Kid and Awall A.K.A. 2-Piece at Krickets in Spanaway for Abom's "Rookie of the Year" show. Saturday I'll be going to Olympia to support the annual Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless benefit. It's packed with great talent from Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle. This might be Olympia's best yearly hip-hop event. Looks like Sunday I'll just be chilling with The Family!

NIC LEONARD Olympia Hip-Hop Writer
Friday night Free Whiskey is playing an all-ages show at the Don't Stop Printing Shop for the Fresh Heads EP release party, so I will be partaking in that. Saturday I will be at Hip Hop 4 The Homeless.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
Our big plans include going to see "The Color Purple" (the musical) at Tacoma Musical Playhouse Saturday night and a PFLAG meeting in Olympia Sunday.

MOLLY GILMORE Arts Writer
Friday is Leo Kottke at the Washington Center. Saturday is my daughter's birthday party (at Alley Oop Gymnastics) and then a kirtan with Shantala at Waves Studio.

JENNI PRANGE BORAN Arts and Feature Writer
There's nothing to write home about scheduled for Saturday, hoping to catch up on re-writing a script that's been crying out for attention, but on Sunday I'll be enjoying a Living Social adventure I purchased called "Shootin' and Drinkin'" which involves a trip to a shooting range and a brewery--hopefully in that order.

NIKKI TALOTTA Music Writer
This weekend brings a much needed shopping date with my hubby. We get to pick out a laptop without the continued interruption of our children's needs! We may even go to lunch - can't remember the last time we did that... Ah, the joys of parenting.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
I will be heading out to the New Frontier for the Sound Icons show -- a spectacle that I cannot pass up. However, I recently found out about a show at Dorky's Arcade on the same night (too late to include it in the paper, unfortunately) featuring the Cutwinkles, the Fabulous Downey Bros., a great band called the Hoot Hoots (whose record I am now obsessed with), and the untouchably ludicrous air-band, Airpocalypse. It's going to be a profoundly nerdy evening of indie rock.

JOSEPH IZENMAN Theater Critic
Aside from the general awesomeness that is taking Friday off from work to do nothing but music, I'll pretty much be sitting in one theater or another most of the weekend. Thursday night is preview night for "The Color Purple" at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Friday night we're off to PLU for "Rabbit Hole," and Saturday is capped off by seeing jazz trio The Bad Plus rock through Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" at the Broadway Center.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photographer
I am doing nothing but working at home with my nose in books and spreadsheets. But I might his Amocat's music bash on Friday.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

DRINK IT UP >>>

Simple South Sound beer math: Spring is typically cool around here and alcohol makes you warm, so by way of booze logic, the Gig Harbor Beer festival this spring is equivalent to the warmest snuggle-buddy in all the land!

The Gig Harbor Beer Festival today announced their final brewer list for the upcoming event. This inaugural spring beer-tasting event will be held May 12 at the Gig Harbor Uptown Pavilion and will feature 10 craft brewers:

• American Brewing Co., Edmonds
• Der Blokken Brewery, Bremerton
• Dicks Brewing Co., Centralia
• Everybody's Brewing, White Salmon
• Harmon Brewing Co., Tacoma
• Hood Canal Brewery, Kingston
• Pt. Townsend Brewing Co., Pt. Townsend
• Silver City Brewery, Bremerton
• Sound Brewing Co., Poulsbo
• Valholl Brewing Co., Poulsbo

Let's read a press release:

"I could not be more pleased with the list of participating brewers. They all bring unique beers to the table and an enormous passion for brewing ," said festival organizer, John Fosberg. "The festival will offer event goers a memorable and diverse group of craft beers to choose from."?Mr. Fosberg continued by saying, "The brewer list filled up fast - many of the brewers mentioned having a loyal customer base in Gig Harbor. Once brewer names starting showing up on the event's website and Facebook page, advance tickets started selling at a brisk pace. I would encourage everyone to purchase their tickets before hand. I can't imagine this event not selling out, and I would hate to turn anyone away at the gate."

Advance tickets are $20 (you save $5), and are available online by visiting the Festival's website at http://www.gigharborbeerfestival.com, or at http://www.brownpapertickets.com. Your ticket admission includes a 2012 commemorative taster cup and eight taster tokens. You may also purchase tickets the day of the event for $25. Additional taster tokens will be on sale during the day of the Festival.??Festival organizers will also be giving away a limited number of free VIP tickets to the festival in a series of online raffles through the Festival's Facebook page. Simply visit the Gig Harbor Beer Festival's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/gigharborbeerfestival, "Like" the page, and you qualify.??The Gig Harbor Beer Festival benefits the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. To learn more about this non-profit organization, please visit http://www.gigharborfoundation.org.

Blazing Onion Burger Company is the Major Sponsor for the event. Other sponsors include Uptown Gig Harbor, The Peninsula Gateway, DPI Print, The INN at Gig Harbor, Tides Tavern, and Cascade Print Media, Disidual Clothing LLC, with additional support from the City of Gig Harbor.??For more information, contact John Fosberg at (253) 853-2728, or contact@gigharborbeerfestival.com.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Go Tacoma!: A consortium of three shipping lines is leaving Seattle for the Port of Tacoma. (Seattle Times)

Tacoma Narrows Bridge Toll: You'll need to break your piggy bank. (News Tribune)

Tacoma School Of The Arts: Here comes the first-ever freshman class. (News Tribune)

Lights, Camera, More Action: Washington's Legislature brings back tax credits to lure movie production to the state. (News Tribune)

The Economy: U.S. employers continued the stronger pace of hiring last month, but the overall job market is not out of the woods yet. (CNN)

Health Care Law: The Obama administration has begun an aggressive campaign. (The New York Times)

Maya Rudolph: The Fresh Air interview. (NPR)

Ralph Baer: 90-year-old video game pioneer. (Boing Boing)

Mantyhose: Nylons for guys aren't for Robin Hood anymore. (Time)

Nerd Alert: The 15 nerdiest Saturday Night Live sketches. (Topless Robot)

Today In Craptastic!

SOMETHING TO KNOW >>>

TobyMac is one of the few Christian rock artists a secularist might have actually heard of.

The former member of celebrated trio DC Talk and now a solo star in his own right will perform at the Puyallup Fair Thursday, Sept. 13.

Tickets are $25, $30, $40 and $50, and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17 on the Fair website, www.thefair.com/concerts or by phone (888) 559-FAIR (3247).

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012 >>>

1. The Weekly Volcano has a Street Team of 20-somethings who attend events in the South Sound, takes photos, blogs and distributes flyers and posters for future events. They also host events, such at the Street Team Pub Crawl. How do you get in on the first Street Team Pub Crawl? Show up at Charlie's Sports Bar & Grill in Olympia at 6 p.m. tonight. If you miss the mark, you can join up with the Volcano Street Team along the route. A free door prize raffle will be held at each location so don't dilly-dally. Here's the schedule.

2. Today brings the South Sound Technology Conference to the University of Washington Tacoma, a one-day event designed to bring together, "leaders from industry, education and government to discuss and demonstrate innovations and their applications," according to pre-event hype. The day-long event features a morning keynote by VP Product Development Expedia Steve Jarvis, a panel discussion on the mobile app development "explosion," and a lunch keynote by White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt. Find more info about the South Sound Technology Conference and more in the Volcano's Weekend Hustle.

3. Time flies when you're having fun. Or so the saying goes - and fun is definitely one of the many great, hyper-local bits of awesomeness being served every day at Tacoma's Amocat Café, celebrating one year this Friday with the aptly titled, "Amocat Live." Expect an evening full of live music for all ages including John Dolge, Jon Parker, Micaela Cooley, Sam Bogle, Russ Dahler, Gen Obata, and The Collaborators. Best of all, it's free. It good times start at 7 p.m.

4. Comedian Slade Ham performs twice at the Tacoma Comedy Club tonight, taking the stage at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the Comedy Underground Presents at Tacoma's Big Whisky Saloon presents Kortney Shane Williams and Joe Fontenot will keep things funny at Grit City Comedy Club.

5.In Olympia at Traditions Café and World Folk Art,  drop in on what's sure to be an enchanting event for all ages, "The Heartsparkle Players Present Stories From Outside Your Comfort Zone." It starts at 7:30 p.m.

MORE THINGS TO DO: The Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight

SWEET SEARCH >>>

Cupcakes are all the rage these days - and for good reason. Kids have long loved the individualized treat of cake-y goodness, and over the last several years boutique bakeries specializing in the cupcake have been popping up everywhere. There's simply no avoiding them.

Here's a look at some of our area's best cupcake destinations:

hello, cupcake

hello, cupcake was one of the area's original cupcake Meccas. Since it has been around for several years, hello, cupcake has cupcakes down. The cake is balanced and not too sweet, but where Hello shines is the frosting, which is rich and delicious. The lineup features standard flavors as well as one or two seasonal choices each month. The store is in downtown Tacoma, close to the museums, restaurants and several cute shops, so it makes a fine pit stop when you need a jolt of sugar to keep going. Appropriately, the Irish cream latte cupcake is currently under glass.
1740 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.7772

Affairs Chocolate & Desserts

Affairs is the place to go if a cupcake is just not enough. The cupcakes here are amazing - firm cake and enough frosting to make your day. The assortment of cake flavors is broad enough to suit everyone. But just in case you're with someone who is not a cupcake fan, Affairs offers more. Owner Gay Landry was originally a chocolatier, so there are handmade truffles, as well as cakes, cookies and pastries. The store is also a café and known as a great breakfast spot, too.
2811 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.565.8604

Metropolitan Market

Met Market is a hub for some of the best bakeries in the Puget Sound, including Cupcake Royale - Seattle's original cupcake joint and the first cupcake spot to open outside of New York City way back in 2003. You won't typically find the more unusual Cupcake Royale flavors at Met Market, but chocolate-vanilla, red velvet, mint chocolate and seasonal flavors are always available. Even though these might not offer the experience of dining in a cute cupcake shop, Cupcake Royale's cake is one of the moister cupcake options and their frosting is muffin-top-licking good.
2420 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253.761.3663

Bearded Lady Food Co.

Some of what Olympia does best is in the vegetarian/vegan food arena, and this includes one of the best cupcake options - vegan cupcakes at Bearded Lady. Beyond the fact that the cake is vegan, the cake is also delicious, with standard flavors as well as Mexican spice, gingerbread, and other creative choices. Frosting flavors like lavender and mango complete the sugary goodness. Bearded Lady nabbed Best Desserts in the Best of Olympia 2012 issue.
412 Franklin St., Olympia, 360.943.6235

What is your favorite South Sound cupcake joint?

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

LINK: Reserve your table for Tacoma Restaurant Week

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Amocat Cafe Tacoma - Triangle District. Amocat Live 1-Year Anniversary Music Night, with John Dolge, Jon Parker, Micaela Cooley, Sam Bogle, Russ Dahler, Gen Obata, The Collaborators. All Ages. 7 pm. NC.

• Time flies when you're having fun. Or so the saying goes - and fun is definitely one of the many great, hyper-local bits of awesomeness being served every day at Tacoma's Amocat Café, celebrating one year this Friday with the aptly titled, "Amocat Live." Expect an evening full of live music for all ages including John Dolge, Jon Parker, Micaela Cooley, Sam Bogle, Russ Dahler, Gen Obata, and The Collaborators. Best of all, it's free. Plus, the ambiance at Amocat can't be beat. This event is a win for all involved. Stop by and thank proprietor Morgan Alexander for a year of dutiful service to his community. — Weekly Volcano
  

Backstage Bar & Grill Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Klondike Kate, Automatic Theory, Riot In Rhythm, Attack With Care, Lucky Bunny Foot. 7 pm. $10.

Chris Knutzen Hall Tacoma - Parkland. University Jazz Ensemble, featuring Anton Schwartz. All Ages. 8 pm.

Harmon Tap Room Underground Tacoma - Stadium District. Science!, Chris Hyde, Kitt Bender. 10 pm. $5.

• The finger-plucking beauty and ease of Science!'s folksy, acoustic, storytelling is easy on the ear. Voted "Best New Band" in the Volcano's Best of Olympia 2012 Readers Poll, Science! has a rootsy vibe that goes a long way in a town like Oly. Comprised of vocalist Justin Stang and guitarist Jim Elenteny, "Science! is a musical pursuit of empirical evidence, using poetry and soundscapes to express the truth of daily life," according to the band's bio. Via phone, Stang and Elenteny have a more straightforward description. "We wanted something that was simple, that was universal, and that was truthful. That's a lot of how we view our music," says Stang. There's a familiarity with Stang's work in Olympia thanks to his contribution to the well known, nationally touring jam-rock outfit Sideways Reign. Elenteny, for his part, plays bass in the also-well-known Seattle-based jam act Nefarious Jones. Catch Science! in Tacoma this week when Stang and Elenteny hash it out at the Harmon Tap Room Underground along with show headliner Chris Hyde and Kitt Bender. - Matt Driscoll

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Thou Shall Kill, Days Armour, Vigilante Sol, Devil On A Leash. 9 pm. $5.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Too Slim & The Taildraggers. All Ages. 7:30 pm. $10.

• Take the modern alt-country blues sound of Drive-By Truckers, throw in the fun loving attitude and riff-blues-rock of ZZ Top, mix them all together and you get close to the vibe of Too Slim and the Taildraggers. This is real, down and dirty rock and roll - a delightful jumble of virtuosic slide guitar work from frontman Tim "Too Slim" Langford and the revamped rock sound of the Taildraggers. The band's vibe blends power-chord-driven, fun-loving nasty grooves with a new, indie-rock songwriting vibe. And it works. Don't worry, though, Too Slim and crew definitely infuse plenty of blues and Americana into their work. You dig? - WV

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Nolan Garrett. All Ages. 7 pm.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Thea Wescott & Timberland Ridge. All Ages. 8 pm.

Medi's Pizza & Pasta Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Just Cuz. All Ages. 7 pm. NC.

Maxwell's Restaurant and Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Lance Buller Trio. 7 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Anthony & Anthony Dirty 30 Party, with Destruction Island, DJ Babycham. 8 pm.

• Destruction Island makes big sounds and big hooks with their guitars, but the band persists in being betrayed by small sound. As much as Destruction Island puffs out its chests with these arena sounds, the band always cheat a look of uncertain modesty - like a plunky piano line or a hollow snare tap - to lend an aspect of humility to the proceedings. Though they largely succeed in dealing up proper, confident indie rock, they have a nagging need to bare themselves in plaintive ways. Driving and lively though their songs may be, there is a definite sense of searching, unsure wanting. Even if these notions don't strike you upon listening to Destruction, the strength of the band's indie pop songcraft should do well in propelling you from one song to the next. - Rev Adam McKinney

Tempest Lounge Tacoma - Hilltop. Paul Kroeger. 8 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Blacktop Demons, Breaking Quarantine. 9 pm.

Washington Center for the Performing Arts Olympia - Downtown. An Evening With Leo Kottke. All Ages. 8 pm. $30-$50.

• There are few, if any, guitarists like Leo Kottke. An acoustic fret master, tickling both the six and 12 string varieties, Kottke's blazing licks have inspired guitarists worldwide for nearly the entire length of his legendary four-decade career. With a wry, almost comical approach to life and songwriting, mixed with unfathomable skill, Kottke is one for the ages. Friday, Kottke returns to the South Sound for a show at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia. Come out and be amazed. — WV
  

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound